The Olympus Evolt E500 Review

The Olympus Evolt E500 Review - In March 2006 Olympus gave four features top priority when developing the E500, maximum image quality, a sensor cleaning system that removes dust from the CCD without the need for consumers to fiddle with the important bits, ease of use and finally a compact design.

Previous Olympus E’s have been large, somewhat blocky models, so while this one is still a bit on the bigger side, it is significantly smaller than its predecessors! It almost looks like slim-line version of the Olympus E-1 model. Image quality easily lives up to expectations with its 8.0 Mega pixels at your disposal. Metering and focusing features are particularly good and produced very pleasing results even in very trying shooting situations.

The sensor cleaning system is perhaps the cherry on top for this model. It removes dirt and dust particles that get into the camera body while the lens is removed. It uses Olympus' proprietary ‘Supersonic Wave Filter’ set up which has a special filter in front of the Four-Thirds format CCD. Each time the camera is turned on, or when the cleaning system activated by the photographer, the Supersonic Wave Filter kicks in and gives itself a high frequency shake down. Any dust on the filter falls onto a special sticky membrane, thus preventing the dirt form going anywhere.

To quote a tester, “the focus is crispier than a Pringle in a freezer!” The E500 also features surprisingly accurate color modes and settings, which include vivid, natural & muted modes. Each of which can be further adjusted for contrast, sharpness and saturation. The sensor cleaning system is perhaps the cherry on top for this model. It removes dirt and dust particles that get into the camera body while the lens & body are separated.
It uses Olympus' proprietary ‘Supersonic Wave Filter’ set up which has a special filter in front of the Four-Thirds format CCD. Each time the camera is turned on, or when the cleaning system activated by the photographer, the Supersonic Wave Filter kicks in and gives itself a high frequency shake down. Any dust on the filter falls onto a special sticky membrane, thus preventing the dirt form making its way back into the camera parts!